Eastern National became part of the National Bus Company, owned by the Government followingthe Transport Act 1969.

Services in Thurrock were operated from Eastern Nationalís Basildon, Chelmsford and Southendgarageís, and mainly concentrated on the East of the borough, up to Grays. Places served includedFobbing, Corringham, Stanford le Hope, Orsett (Hospital) and Stifford Clays using route numbers152, 153, 154, 155, 156 and 157. Eastern National also operated express services to Dartford viaGrays and West Thurrock (route 400/2) as well as the 2 (Grays to Southend). Eastern National alsooperated some journeys jointly with Green Line on route 722.

Upon privatisation in 1986, Eastern National was bought out by itís management and continued to operate under the Eastern National name.

In 1990, Eastern National was acquired by the Badgerline group and the garages in South Essex formed a newcompany - Thamesway. Garages in North Essex continued under the Eastern National name, though both companieswere still ultimately under the same common ownership/management structure.

In 1995 Badgerline group merged with GRT LTD (Grampian Regional Transport) and from 1998 this company wasknown as First group. First, like Arriva, started to adopt local company identities though they never carried on thevehicles - Thamesway thus became First Essex, along with Eastern National.........and so the story goes full circle!

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